as in joining
to become a friend to (someone)
He befriended the new student.
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Recent Examples of befriending
In his spare time away from the stage, Davis dedicates his life to befriending and dialoguing with white supremacists and members of the KKK.
—
Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 17 Sep. 2025
But the blind man ends up befriending the creature, having no sense of its frightening demeanor.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 30 Aug. 2025
Zrnčević, Bugatti Rimac’s chief test and development driver, has spent 11 years with the company after befriending CEO Mate Rimac during his stint as an automotive journalist (his mechanical engineering degree didn’t hurt).
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 7 Aug. 2025
Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 17 Sep. 2025
But the blind man ends up befriending the creature, having no sense of its frightening demeanor.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 30 Aug. 2025
Zrnčević, Bugatti Rimac’s chief test and development driver, has spent 11 years with the company after befriending CEO Mate Rimac during his stint as an automotive journalist (his mechanical engineering degree didn’t hurt).
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befriending
Verb
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The union held a rally in Queens, hoping to bring attention to the job losses and accusing Amazon of cutting ties with the DSP as retaliation for its drivers joining the Teamsters union last year.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
30 Sep. 2025
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In 2024, Wilson came on board as a third member of the hosting team, joining Bryan and football great Peyton Manning, who had been paired up as a duo the previous two years.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Isabella Lozano had been traveling in the eastbound lanes of the freeway when the crash happened in front of her vehicle.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
7 Oct. 2025
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Pair it with a cardigan and ballet flats for a cozy spin, style it with a blazer and bodysuit for the office, or go casual with a graphic tee and sneakers while traveling.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The protocol sits on top of an open standard for connecting AI models to business systems—but focuses specifically on commerce and payments.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
30 Sep. 2025
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Officials also released an artist's reconstruction of the castle, featuring a stone tower and a causeway, or bridge, connecting two small islands.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The song, which is the second track on the album, makes several references and nods to some of Taylor's famous life, while also seemingly relating them to Swift.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
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The Libra balanced scales also teach us that relating is a paradox.—
Colin Bedell,
Them.,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Befriending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befriending. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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